An anonymous reader wrote in yesterday:
I look up a lot of younger philosophers on the internet…and SO OFTEN it is really hard to find their contact information (email, etc.). I'm sure that cannot help their job searches, etc. so I wonder if it would do a tiny bit of good to post a little something on the Cacoon blog along the lines of "Make your contact information really obvious.. since people might want to contact you about a job, collaborations, invitations, etc.!"
Funny, I have had exactly the same problem! I go to look up an early-career philosopher, and their contact info seems nearly impossible to find. I agree with your reader: this generally isn't good, especially if you are on the job market. People on search committees may be interested in finding out more about you, and may be disappointed if they cannot find much. Indeed, I would even go so far as to suggest it could make a difference in whether you are interviewed. If a search committee member is "on the fence" (i.e. unsure) about you, additional information–such as info on your website–could well make a difference.
In short: unless you have some special reason to hide your identity or info online (which in some cases may exist), make sure you have a professional website with your info readily available. Don't make people go hunting through your department's webpage for info (where there is usually very little about you). A good website can very much make a positive impression–and in any case it can be very important to make it easy for people to get into contact with you!
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